Local arts initiatives receive grant dollars
Posted Nov 4, 2010 By Stacey Roy
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Tweet ThisEMC Lifestyle- The picture is becoming clearer when it comes to the Smiths Falls Arts & Culture Council and the Centre for Photographic Excellence thanks to a grant by Valley Heartland CFDC.
The town learned of their success in receiving a $7,500 grant through the CFDC's local initiatives program last Friday.
"We're really pleased about that," added Bob Cheetham, manager of economic development at the town. "That gives us the $3,000 to help with the incorporation" of the Arts & Culture Council.
This matter will be part of the recommendations brought forward to the new council this December when Cheetham presents his Master Plan.
The remaining $4,500 will help the town establish the Centre for Photographic Excellence, including a website presence. Cheetham said the town has already reserved two potential website addresses for use. The town has until Feb. 25, 2011 to use the grant.
"We won't have any problem doing that," Cheetham said.
Today, the concept for the centre will be to use existing space in public areas and local businesses to hang artwork from the Smiths Falls area. So far The Comfort Inn has offered the use of their main hallway for this project. Cheetham said this will likely feature the work of Crombie McNeil who is partnering with the town in this venture. McNeil is an award winning photographer based in Ottawa. His career has spanned many years and his work has captured provocative scenes from Parliament Hill to points overseas. Beyond the McNeil display, the Centre for Photographic Excellence will be opened up to the broader community to submit their unique work for consideration. Cheetham felt this project was a great way to get the entire community involved in the arts.
"Now-a-days everybody carries a camera in their phone," he said.
The centre aims to expose the incredible talent that can be found locally as well as the unique local photographic opportunities such as the swale, industry and aviation that can't be found anywhere else.
"I think it's a niche opportunity for Smiths Falls that we can build on for world tourism," Cheetham added. "There's no location in Canada where people who are photographic enthusiasts can come together and have access to the type of views we have."
The Economic Development department will add $2,500 from their budget to see this project through. Please see The Record News EMC for further information on these projects as they develop.
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